2014 Annual Report - CAIR-Philadelphia

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ANNUAL REPORT
Table of Contents
CAIR-PA is a 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt, non-profit
organization. Your donations
are tax-deductible and zakat
eligible. CAIR’s ability to
sustain its operation and be
effective on your and society’s
behalf depends on your
financial generosity.
HOW TO DONATE
pa.cair.com/donate/
pa.cair.com/pitt/donate/
CAIR-PHILADELPHIA
1501 Cherry Street, Suite 310
Philadelphia, PA 19107
267.515.6710
[email protected]
pa.cair.com
facebook.com/CAIRPhilly
CAIR-PITTSBURGH
801 N. Negley Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
412.606.3601
[email protected]
pa.cair.com/pitt
facebook.com/CAIRpittsburgh
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A Letter from Our Presidents.................................................................. 3
Protecting Civil Liberties........................................................................... 5
Enhancing Understanding of Islam.......................................................... 8
Engaging the Media..................................................................................... 9
Empowering American Muslims...............................................................11
Building Interfaith and Multicultural Coalitions.................................12
Financial Information.................................................................................13
CAIR-Pittsburgh...........................................................................................14
CAIR-Pennsylvania Leadership and Staff.............................................16
Advertisements from Our Supporters..................................................17
A Letter from Our Presidents
Dear Friends and Supporters,
As-Salamu-Alaikum. The year 2014 has passed, a year which
saw CAIR-Pennsylvania continuing its stellar record of providing
legal services to the American Muslim community in our great
commonwealth, and advocating for greater understanding of Islam
by the media and the American public.
This past year also saw the hiring and integration of three
wonderful new staff members: In Philadelphia, Executive Director
Jacob Bender and Staff Attorney Ryan Tack-Hooper, and in
Pittsburgh, Program Director Alia Schindler. CAIR-Philadelphia’s
invaluable Office Manager Leena Jaffer continued her dedicated
service to our organization.
This Annual Report details CAIR-Pennsylvania’s many
accomplishments in 2014. But great challenges loom ahead:
ŠŠ The proposed placement of virulent anti-Muslim ads on SEPTA
buses;
ŠŠ Continued biased reporting about Islam and Muslims by the
media;
ŠŠ The public’s association of Islam with terrorism further
strengthened by the emergence of ISIS in Iraq and Syria;
ŠŠ Increased discrimination and harassment of American Muslims
in both the private and governmental workforce; and
ŠŠ An epidemic of bullying of Muslim school children by their nonMuslim peers.
We can only respond to these challenges with your help. Please
remember that CAIR is the only nation-wide Muslim organization
that provides free legal services to American Muslims and
advocates on behalf of the Muslim community in the media and in
the court of public opinion to correct misinformation about Islam.
We have achieved much in 2014, but there is much left to
accomplish. With Allah’s Blessings and Mercy, and your support,
we can continue to serve the Muslim community of Pennsylvania
anad the Delaware Valley.
CAIR-PA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and your
donations are tax-deductible and zakat eligible.
“Indeed, God does
not change a people’s
condition until they
change what is in
their souls...”
Qur’an 13:11
Jazak Allah Khair,
Osama Al-Qasem
President / CAIR-Philadelphia
Safdar Khwaja
President / CAIR-Pittsburgh
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Protecting Civil Liberties
Ryan Tack-Hooper Joins CAIR-Philadelphia
Ryan Tack-Hooper joined CAIR-Philadelphia as Staff Attorney in the beginning of 2014. Ryan is a 2009 graduate of NYU Law School, where he was
Executive Editor of the Journal of International Law and Politics, and a former law clerk to Hon. Jerome B. Simandle, Chief Judge for the United States
District Court for the District of New Jersey. Prior to joining CAIR, Ryan
worked as a Legal Fellow for the ACLU of Pennsylvania and as an associate
at the law firm of Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller. This year he also
taught a legal writing course at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.
CAIR-Philadelphia’s Legal Department provided free services in responding
to over one hundred reports of anti-Muslim discrimination or Muslims in
need of legal aid for reasons connected to their faith. Below are some the
significant matters we handled in 2014.
Ryan Tack-Hooper, CAIR-Philadelphia
Staff Attorney, meeting with prospective
clients.
Defending Muslim Youth
CAIR-Philadelphia is especially concerned about mistreatment of Muslim
youth. One case this year involved a faculty member in a rural Pennsylvania
school who made troubling anti-Muslim remarks to students. CAIRPhiladelphia wrote to the school district urging them to address the issue.
The faculty member was reprimanded for his actions, receiving a suspension without pay as a result of his conduct. Another case involved a child
in a suburban Philadelphia school who was called “terrorist” and “Osama
bin Laden” while school officials told him and his family that “kids will be
kids.” CAIR-Philadelphia demanded that the school take concrete measures
to address the bullying, working with the family and district officials to reach
a satisfactory resolution.
In June, we learned of an incident at a local community college concerning
outrageous comments a professor made about Islam in a science course.
We demanded that the college take appropriate disciplinary action, and the
college severed ties with the professor. We are proud of our client and the
college for this result.
Lawsuit Over Mosque Refusal
In early December, CAIR-Philadelphia and
co-counsel filed a federal lawsuit on behalf
of a Muslim congregation called Bensalem
Masjid, challenging Bensalem Township’s
denial of permission to build the first mosque
in that township, as well as the discriminatory and burdensome zoning system in use
there. Bensalem has more than two hundred
Muslim families who currently pray in a fire
hall because the township has no mosque.
“Every American has a right to the free exercise of religion on equal terms with other religions, and governments cannot
restrict that free exercise without a good reason. Bensalem Township violated those fundamental principles by refusing to allow the construction of a
Rendering of future Bensalem Masjid.
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mosque without any compelling reasons for doing so,” said CAIR-Philadelphia
Staff Attorney Ryan Tack-Hooper. The lawsuit is currently pending, and the
Department of Justice has launched an investigation into Bensalem Township’s
zoning practices.
Religious Rights for Prisoners
Incarcerated persons are among the most vulnerable population in our community, and are frequently the targets of abuse and discrimination. Working
to protect the right of free exercise of religion, we represented a prisoner in a
county facility who was being improperly denied halal meals. Under threat of
a lawsuit, CAIR-Philadelphia successfully persuaded the prison to offer halal
meals to its Muslim inmates. In another matter involving a county prison, we
secured an appropriate Eid Al-Adha celebration for Muslim prisoners, equal
to the celebrations allowed for other religious faiths.
Economic Opportunity
A cornerstone of our work is ensuring that Muslims are free to work and conduct business without discrimination and with reasonable accommodation for
religious practices. This year we represented several clients who were asked
to change their religious practices for their job — from removing a hijab to
shaving a beard. For some we were able to resolve the matter by working
with the employer. But in one case involving a security guard required to
shave his beard, we were forced to file a civil rights action that is still ongoing.
Fair Treatment of Muslim Immigrants
Many of the Muslims served by CAIR-Philadelphia are immigrants. In addition
to working with individual immigrants facing undue delays in their immigration
applications or needing help with the asylum process, this year we were also
involved in some efforts to systematically protect immigrants.
Staff Attorney Ryan Tack-Hooper submitted testimony to the
Philadelphia City Council on the subject of requests by the
federal immigration police that local authorities detain someone without a warrant and without charges until the person can
be investigated for possible immigration violations. This illegal
practice is part of larger abuses of the immigration system that
disproportionately impact Muslims living in the United States.
Fortunately, in response to the efforts of a coalition of groups
including CAIR, Mayor Nutter of Philadelphia agreed to radically limit Philadelphia’s participation in ICE detainers.
FBI Interactions
Our office continues to represent several individuals each
year who have been contacted by the FBI for voluntary interviews. Because of the FBI’s recent history of aggressive and
discriminatory law enforcement practices focused on MuslimAmericans, we strongly encourage anyone contacted by the
FBI to call the CAIR office immediately so that we can provide
information about your legal rights and potentially provide legal
representation.
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CAIR Featured in “Civil Rights in Philadelphia” Exhibit
CAIR-Philadelphia was honored to be included in an exhibition at the
Philadelphia International Airport on the history of civil rights in Philadelphia.
The exhibition, which opened in Terminal A in July, includes a photograph
illustrating CAIR’s fight against Islamophobia. In his remarks at the ceremony,
Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter extensively praised the contributions of
CAIR to the ongoing struggle to protect the civil rights of all the city’s religious and ethnic communities.
Advocacy on National Policies
In March, we went to Capitol Hill to meet with staffers from the offices of
Senator Pat Toomey; Senator Robert Casey, Jr.; Rep. Robert Brady; Rep. Tim
Murphy; Rep. Keith Rothfus; Rep. Joseph Pitts; and Rep. Allyson Schwartz.
We spoke in support of the USA FREEDOM Act (H.R. 3361/S. 1599), bipartisan legislation designed to rein in the overreach of the federal government’s
surveillance programs and to support efforts to investigate and reform the
Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP).
L-R: Katera Moore, CAIR-Philadelphia
Executive Committee; Mayor Michael
Nutter; Jacob Bender, CAIR-Philadelphia
Executive Director, at the opening of an
exhibition at the Airport on Civil Rights
in Philadelphia.
Jacob Bender on Capitol Hill with CAIR
colleagues from around the country, lobbying
on behalf of Muslim community concerns..
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Enhancing the Understanding of Islam
CAIR-Philadelphia Co-Sponsors Ramadan Iftar at City Hall
Partnering with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and City Councilman
Curtis Jones during the sacred month of Ramadan, CAIR-Philadelphia
co-sponsored an Iftar Dinner at which the Mayor welcomed nearly 200
Muslims and guests to City Hall for the joyous occasion.
Mayor Michael Nutter (at podium) and
Philadelphia Councilman Curtis Jones at
the CAIR-Philadephia co-sponsored City
Hall Iftar Dinner.
Ramadan Food Drive
In conjunction with the City Hall Iftar Dinner, CAIR-Philadelphia helped
organize a “Ramadan Food Drive” that collected and distributed hundreds
of pounds of fresh food to shelters around the city.
Sharing Ramadan
During early summer, CAIR-Pennsylvania continued its annual tradition of
hosting “Sharing Ramadan” events throughout the state that offer opportunities for people of all faiths to experience the Muslim month of fasting.
“Sharing Ramadan” allows American Muslims to share and celebrate the
importance of the month of Ramadan with people of all faiths.
CAIR-Philadelphia’s Ramadan Food
Drive.
CAIR-Philadelphia Responds to Anti-Muslim SEPTA Ads
As many may know by now, a virulently Islamophobic hate group (the misnamed “American Freedom Defense
Initiative”) has purchased ad space on
SEPTA buses and bus stops to display their
bigoted anti-Muslim message. In response,
CAIR-Philadelphia has helped to organize
a broad coalition of clergy, scholars, and
religious and community leaders in and
around Philadelphia to oppose the message of hate spread by these ads.
We believe that although the Muslim community must take the lead in combating Islamophobia, defeating anti-Muslim prejudice in the US should not be
the sole responsibility of American Muslims, but rather the responsibility of
all people who believe in interfaith cooperation and desire to live in peace
with their neighbors.
Film Screenings
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Executive Director Jacob
Bender traveled around the
Philadelphia area screening
his documentary film Out of
Cordoba, which explores the
legacy of Al-Andalus (Muslim
Spain), and its heritage of
“convivencia” (religious coexistence). The film also explores
contemporary relations between Muslims, Jews, and Christians, the struggle
against religious extremism, the revolts for human rights in the Middle East
and for justice in Palestine.
Combating Islamophobia Lecture in Delaware
In June, Jacob Bender delivered a lecture on “Combating Islamophobia” at
the University of Delaware in Newark, DE. The lecture was sponsored by the
Department of Political Science and International Relations, and over 100
students and guest of different ethnic and religious backgrounds came out
for the evening lecture. Topics included anti-Muslim prejudice in Western
Civilization, the similarity of contemporary Islamophobia to 19th-Century
American anti-Catholicism and anti-Semitism, the rise of the Islamophobic
network and its funding sources in post-9/11 America, and effective strategies
of countering Islamophobia on campus and in the mainstream media.
Messengers of Peace Retreat
CAIR-Philadelphia was invited to participate in the 2014 Messengers of Peace
Jewish-Catholic Boy Scout Retreat. The event was hosted by The Cradle
of Liberty Council Jewish Committee On Scouting and The Archdiocese of
Philadelphia Catholic Committee On Scouting at Camp Briarwood in Bucks
County. Nearly 100 Boy and Cub Scouts from all over the Delaware Valley
were in attendance.
“And do not let
the hatred of
people prevent
you from being
just. Be just;
that is nearer to
righteousness.”
Qur’an 5:8
The Scouts hiked from cabin to cabin—finding a guest speaker from different
faith communities at each stop—where they were able to participate in a talk
and discussion regarding that faith. The unifying theme was that shared values, as seen in the Ten Commandments and “The Golden Rule,” are greater
than our differences.
Engaging the Media
CAIR-Philadelphia had a stellar year in reaching out to, and challenging, the
mainstream media—even to those venues openly hostile to Islam—to express
our concerns about the misrepresentation of the Muslim community.
The topics covered were ISIS, terrorism, Muslim immigrants in the USA and
Europe, the Israel-Gaza War during the summer, women in Islam, and many
more.
CAIR-Philadelphia staff were interviewed in 2014 in dozens of TV, radio, and
print venues, including the following:
• Aljazeera Arabic Channel
• Radio Sawa
• Aslan Media
• Religions News Service
• Carbonated.TV
• The Bucks County Courier
• CBS Philly
• The Dom Giordano Show
• Drexel University TV
• The Jewish Daily Forward
• El-Zol
• The Jewish Press
• Haaretz
• The Marc Steiner Show
• Jewish Currents Magazine
• The New York Times
• Jewish Exponent
• The Nick Taliaferro Show
• Jewish Telegraphic Agency
• The Philadelphia Inquirer
• NBC10
• The Washington Post
• Philly.com
• Washington Times
• Phillymag.com
Jacob Bender being interviewed on CBS
News local TV during a demonstration
protesting Israel’s attack on Gaza during
the summer of 2014.
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Executive Director Profiled in The New York Times
Jacob Bender and CAIR-Philadelphia were profiled in an article in The New
York Times in August. Such wide
exposure helps to challenge the
Islamophobic canards that the Muslim
community is intrinsically intolerant,
anti-Semitic, and supports terrorism.
Jacob noted, “Engaging with the
media, especially the nation’s leading
newspaper, contributes to fulfilling
our mission statement to ‘enhance
the understanding of Islam’ among
the American public.”
CAIR-Philadelphia staff also wrote and had published Letters-to-the-Editor
and Op-Ed articles on issues of great importance to the Muslim community.
For instance, the following letter appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer in
May 2014:
Muslim Americans condemn in the strongest possible way the kidnapping of
Nigerian girls by Boko Haram (“Rescue plan needed,” May 8).
The national headquarters of the Council on American-Islamic Relations has
noted: “It is almost impossible to express the level of disgust felt by American
Muslims at the un-Islamic and obscene actions of the terrorist group Boko
Haram for the kidnapping and threat to ‘sell’ hundreds of Nigerian schoolgirls.”
Muslims in Philadelphia join their fellow Americans in urging the government
of Nigeria to do everything it can to immediately return the abducted girls safely
to their families and eliminate the threat posed by Boko Haram.
Jacob Bender, Executive Director, Philadelphia chapter, CAIR
“American
Muslims view
the actions of
ISIS as both
un-Islamic
and morally
repugant.”
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CAIR Condemns ISIS/Extremism
In August, CAIR reiterated its condemnation of the “un-Islamic and morally
repugnant” violence and religious extremism of the Islamic State of Iraq and
Syria (ISIS), stating:
“As we have stated previously, American Muslims view the actions of ISIS as
both un-Islamic and morally repugnant. No interpretation of Islam allows the
torture and murder of civilians, the destruction of churches and other houses
of worship or the targeting of religious minorities. We reiterate our condemnation of the violent actions and religious extremism of ISIS and reject the
false claim that it in any way represents mainstream Islamic thought or practice. ISIS’s actions are neither Islamic nor humane…”
CAIR also condemned a December attack on a school in Peshawar, Pakistan,
that killed 145 people, including 134 children. CAIR National Executive Director
Nihad Awad said in a statement:
“This senseless and bloodthirsty attack on children must be condemned by
people of all faiths and backgrounds anywhere in the world. To see such
brutality targeting children shocks the conscience and should spur action to
apprehend and punish those behind this inexcusable terror attack. We offer
prayers and condolences for the families and loved ones of all those killed
or injured.”
Empowering American Muslims
Workshops
Through its educational workshops, such as its signature Know Your Rights
Seminars, CAIR-Philadelphia reaches thousands of adults and children in the
Delaware Valley Muslim community every year, providing them with the skills
necessary to respond to workplace or school harassment and/or discrimination, and official government intimidation or surveillance.
In September, we introduced our newest educational programming: AntiBullying Workshops for parents and other adults interested in learning about
anti-bullying techniques and the rights of students. Bullying can have devastating effects on a student’s self-esteem and academic performance and the
media continues to be saturated with negative images of Muslims and Islam.
Ryan Tack-Hooper leading a “Know
Your Rights” workshop with the ACLU
at the Islamic Community Center of
Lancaster, PA.
Our Muslim Youth Leadership Program provides students and adults with
the platform to address issues that may arise in a child’s daily life concerning
their Muslim identity, while explaining the rights of students, and how to build
a positive American Muslim identity.
Building the Community
CAIR believes that the Muslim community is also strengthened and empowered by building unity between all its different racial and ethnic subdivisions.
CAIR consequently co-sponsors a wide range of activities across the multicultural Muslim community, from helping to raise funds for the Syrian American
Medical Society, to participating in the dedication of the new Masjidullah
Center for Human Excellence.
Executive Committee Member Asheq
Fazlullah leading an “Anti-Bullying
Workshop” for students at the Islamic
Society of Greater Valley Forge.
8th Annual Banquet
Nearly 700 CAIR-Philadelphia supporters and invited guests filled the
Springfield Country Club ballroom on March 15, 2014 for our chapter’s 8th
Annual Banquet. One of the highlights of the banquet was a multi-media
program, narrated by a group of nine CAIR staff and activists, on the banquet
theme of “Faith and Freedom.”
Internationally-known Muslim scholar and community leader Imam Zaid Shakir
stirred the hall with his inspired call for social justice. As a finale, comedian
Azhar Usman left us laughing uncontrollably with his hilarious routine satirizing everything from Muslim family life to the idiocy of Islamophobia. Due to
the generosity of all who attended, CAIR-Philadelphia raised over $170,000
in donations and pledges.
Jacob Bender and Imam Muhammad
Abdul Aleem at Masjidullah.
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Building Interfaith Coalitions
In addition to the previously described interfaith coalition responding
to the Islamophobic ads purchased for placement on SEPTA buses,
CAIR-Philadelphia is involved in several other interfaith coalitions in
the Delaware Valley and beyond.
Interfaith Walk for Peace
CAIR-Philadelphia
joined
the 11th Annual Philadelphia
Interfaith Walk for Peace
and Reconciliation on April
27. The theme of the 2014
walk was “Side by Side on
Sacred Ground: Celebrating
Transformations.” The Walk
began at Al-Aqsa Mosque and
participants were treated to
musical performances along
the way from various groups.
The event concluded with
some 700 people sharing
a variety of ethnic food at
West Kensington Ministries on
Norris Square.
Partnership with Manna on Main Street
Manna on Main Street is a food pantry, soup kitchen, emergency financial aid
and education provider serving the North Penn community. With more than
2,000 volunteers each year, Manna is committed to ending hunger, with the
vision “that everyone might be fed.”
October 11th celebrated the 4th Annual 5K Race & 1 Mile Fun Run for Manna.
Despite the rain, it was an incredible race morning, with 387 participants
crossing the finish line. With the support of CAIR-Philadelphia and other
organizations and businesses, Manna on Main Street raised more than
$70,000 to help the hungry!
People’s Climate March
CAIR-Philadelphia believes that the
danger to the planet posed by human
created climate change is a profoundly
Islamic issue. CAIR helped organize
thousands of Muslims to join over a
million of their fellow citizens of the
world in New York City on Sept. 21, in
one of the largest demonstrations in
American history.
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CAIR-Philadelphia Fiscal Information
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CAIR-Pittsburgh
Alia Schindler Starts as New Program Director
Alia Schindler was hired as the new Program Director of CAIR-Pittsburgh in
October 2014.
Alia grew up in Pittsburgh. She has a passion for spreading a correct sense of
Islamic awareness and believes in working hard to ensure that human rights
and justice prevail. In addition to her work with CAIR-Pittsburgh, she is working to make strides in the realm of International Education as an instructor of
English as a Second Language (ESL) at Chatham University. She graduated
from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied Education and Global
Studies.
Alia reverted to Islam in her senior year at Pitt, and has since been very
active in the Muslim community, serving as the former Secretary for the
Islamic Center of Pittsburgh (ICP) Board of Directors, and as the former ICP
Sunday School Director.
CAIR-Pittsburgh Activities
This year, CAIR-Pittsburgh organized and participated in a number of community foums. CAIR-Pittsburgh organized a town hall entitled “Provocative
Influences – How to Make Enduring Choices” in February, an event focused on
protecting Muslim youth from pernicious media influences. CAIR-Pittsburgh
also organized a town hall entitled “Investing in Our Youth,” giving concerned
parents and community members the opportunity to discuss the lack of successful youth programs in the area.
CAIR-Pittsburgh’s 7th Annual Banquet, titled “Towards Becoming Valuable
Members of Society,” featured keynote speaker Dr. Haider Ala Hamoudi
presenting ideas on how the community can become more recognized as
constructive contributors in American society. An inspirational speech was
delivered by Raeed Tayeh, with entertainment by Saad Haroon.
Education and Political Advocacy
CAIR-Pittsburgh has continued to inform American Muslims about their civil
rights. In June 2014, CAIR-Pittsburgh collaborated with the Islamic Center of
Pittsburgh and the ACLU in hosting a Know-Your-Rights Workshop for mosque
administrators. In early 2015, CAIR-Pittsburgh presented a Know-Your-Rights
Workshop along with Attorney Mike Healey, at the Muslim Association of
Greater Pittsburgh.
CAIR-Pittsburgh participated in a national letter-writing campaign to inform
federal officials about some of the Muslim community’s views on the situation in Gaza. President Safdar Khwaja and former Program Director Annie
Durrani met with Rep. Tim Murphy, addressing the need to reject profiling.
Khwaja and Durrani also met with Rep. Mike Doyle, addressing the Muslim
community’s concerns regarding the Ferguson shooting and the need for the
US to use its influence to convince allies to adhere to human rights norms,
specifically related to Israel’s actions in Gaza.
In November, CAIR-Pittsburgh Board Member Ishfaq Ahmad and Alia
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Schindler participated at Building Communities of Trust Round Table with
local and national officials including Mayor Peduto. The discussion focused
on the NSA and intelligence-gathering. CAIR also had the opportunity to
express our concerns about treatment of community members by the police
the new Pittsburgh Police Chief, Cameron McLay.
The Chapter President was able to share CAIR’s viewpoint in multiple media
outlets this year, including a Jewish Chronicle Interview - “CAIR Under the
Microscope” (9/21/2014), Jewish Chronicle Letter to Editor-“With harmonious
goal, CAIR speaks up” (10/23/2014), and an op-ed in the Pittsburgh Post–
Gazette about the Islamic State (10/19/2014).
Interfaith Efforts
CAIR-Pittsburgh hosted its annual Ramadan Iftar in July 2014, with an interfaith panel discussing fasting in the Jewish, Christian, and Muslim faiths.
In August, CAIR-Pittsburgh collaborated with the Christian Associates of
Southwest Pennsylvania and the Pittsburgh Area Jewish Committee in an
Interfaith Vigil for Peace at Point State Park.
Safdar Khwaja presented an interfaith prayer talk at the Annual Gandhi Day
celebration at the Heinz Chapel-University of Pittsburgh. The talk highlighted
the connections between Gandhi’s Hindu teachings and Islam, including the
parallel struggles for social justice, the necessity for selflessness in surrendering oneself to God, and the belief that one should respond to evil with good.
CAIR-Pittsburgh also reinitiated participation with the Pennsylvania Interfaith
Impact Network (PIIN), an organization that strives to build religious coalitions to improve society.
CAIR-Pittsburgh Civil Rights Cases
CAIR-Pittsburgh assisted several Muslims with civil rights problems this year
with advocacy and referrals to legal resources, including several men and
women who faced discrimination and undue scrutiny at work, a man discriminated against based on his immigration status, families facing harassment by neighbors because of their Muslim faith, a Muslim woman facing
discriminatory child custody arrangements requiring counseling from local
Christian Counseling services, and two cases involving
improper requirements imposed on women to remove their
headscarves.
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CAIR-Pennsylvania Leadership and Staff
CAIR-PHILADELPHIA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Osama Al-Qasem - President
Iftekhar Hussain - Vice President
Nicole Souadda - Treasurer
Katera Y. Moore, PhD - Sec.
Carlin Saafir, Esq. - Outreach Co-Chair
Sally Selim - Banquet Co-Chair
Asheq Fazlullah - Programs & Workshops Chair
Nivine Rihawi - Organizational Development Chair
Rubina Tareen - Interfaith and Outreach Co-Chair
VOLUNTEERS
Karim Ali - Permanent Volunteer Accountant
Salma Gul - Banquet Co-Chair
CAIR-PHILADELPHIA STAFF
Jacob Bender, Executive Director
Ryan Tack-Hooper, Staff Attorney
Leena Jaffer, Operations Manager
CAIR-PITTSBURGH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Safdar Khwaja - President
Asim Kokan - Treasurer
Ishfaq Ahmad - Executive Secretary
Dr. Azmat Qayyum - Former Chapter President/
Current EC Member
Noor Un Nahar - EC Member
Ezz-Eldin Moukamal, MD. - EC Member
CAIR-PITTSBURGH STAFF
Alia Schindler - Program Director
CAIR-PENNSYLVANIA STATE BOARD
Iftekhar Hussain - Chair
Asis Kokan - Vice Chair
Safdar Khwaja - Treasurer
Osama Al-Qasem - Secretary
Jacob Bender speaking at the Islamic
Society of Delaware, Aug. 2014
- 16 -
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www.amanafunds.com or call toll free 888/73-AMANA. Please read the prospectus or summary prospectuses carefully
before investing.
Investing involves risk, including the risk that you may lose money. The Amana Mutual Funds invest according to
Islamic principles. This limits opportunities and may increase risk.
The Amana Funds are distributed by Saturna Brokerage Services, member FINRA / SIPC. Saturna Brokerage Services is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Saturna Capital Corporation, adviser to the Amana Funds.
In Service Since 2001
WHAT WE DO
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Zakat, Sadaqa, Aqeeqah
Ramadan–Fidya/Kaffarah
Udhiya/Qurbani
Sadaqa Jariyah
Development
Emergency Relief
Orphan & Family Aid
Education & Skill Training
Healthcare
Learn More at
ZAKAT.ORG
1.888.ZAKAT.US
PO BOX 639, WORTH, IL 60482
‫‪Congratulations CAIR ‬‬
‫‪for another year of achievements! ‬‬
‫قال اهلل تعالى‪) :‬لِلْفُقَرَآءِ ٱملُْهَـٰجِرِينَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا۟ مِن دِيَـٰرِهِمْ وَأَمْوَ‌ ٰلِهِمْ‬
‫يَبْتَغُونَ فَضْالً مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ وَرِضْوَ‌ ٰنًا وَيَنصُرُونَ ٱللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُۥٓ ۚ أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ‬
‫ٱلصَّـٰدِقُونَ ﴿‪ ﴾۸‬وَٱلَّذِينَ تَبَوَّءُو ٱلدَّارَ وَٱإلِْميَـنَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ يُحِبُّونَ مَنْ‬
‫هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِمْ وَالَ يَجِدُونَ فِى صُدُورِهِمْ حَاجَةًۭ مِّمَّآ أُوتُوا۟ وَيُؤْثِرُونَ عَلَىٰٓ‬
‫أَنفُسِهِمْ وَلَوْ كَانَ بِهِمْ خَصَاصَةٌۭ ۚ وَمَن يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِۦ فَأُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ هُمُ‬
‫ٱملُْفْلِحُونَ ﴿‪ (﴾۹‬سورة احلشر‪ ‬‬
‫‪HVIMMIGRATIONLAW.COM ‬‬
‫‪ ‬‬
‫‪Find us on: ‬‬
‫‪PHILADELPHIA: ‬‬
‫‪ ‬‬
‫‪1520 Locust St., Suite 804 ‬‬
‫‪Philadelphia, PA 19102 ‬‬
‫‪ ‬‬
‫‪610 664 6271 PHONE ‬‬
‫‪215 701 4558 FAX ‬‬
CONGRATULATIONS TO CAIR ON ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR
OF PROMOTING AWARENESS, EDUCATION AND TOLERANCE.
Love,
P l a ygr ound s f or Pale st ine
Please Join us for our Annual
GALA Dinner
MARCH 28TH | 5:00 PM | UNIVERSITY CITY SHERATON
www. p laygroundsforpalestine.c om
Building Hope,
Changing Lives
The PCRF Philadelphia Chapter
Announcing Big Plans
3-D model of the new department.
Yellow areas are the playroom and cafeteria, green are the medical offices, orange are the
patient rooms, blue is the entrance or lobby area and dark green is the library and teaching area.
The place where it all begins.
We will be building on the 4th floor roof of this hospital in hopes of creating a bigger oncologyhematology department with better facilities to provide great care to our young patients.
With pediatric cancer becoming more frequent and taking
over hundreds of children’s lives, the Gaza Strip needs better
oncology-hematology facilities to meet the growing need.
The seige over Gaza has made our mission challenging.
Most of the children are out of reach of proper medical
facilities, are trapped indoors and can’t travel abroad for
treatment. These children, many of which have rare blood
disorders and awful cancers, have restricted access to
treatment. We want to bring expert medical care and the
best of treatments to them. With the Huda Al Masri Pediatric
Cancer facility in Beit Jala (Bethlehem) as precedent, we will
be building another pediatric cancer department in the Gaza
Strip. It is our human obligation to respond to these
children’s plea for help.
For more information, visit www.pcrf.net and keep up to date
with us and our mission on facebook.com/PcrfPhiladelphiaChapter.
Any questions? Email us at [email protected] for answers.
PCRF would like to congratulate CAIR on another year of promoting
awareness and love for humanity!
Emerge USA seeks to engage, educate and empower Muslim, Arab
American, and South Asian (MASA) communities through educational
events, voter initiatives, and leadership development for the purpose of
creating a community of equitable, knowledgeable, and motivated citizens.
Upcoming Event - Civics Workshop
April 11, 2015 (West Chester, location TBD). Join us to learn how our government works,
how it impacts your life and how you can become a participant in our democracy. For more
information please contact [email protected]
www.emerge-usa.org
WE SPEAK YOUR LANGUAGE:
URDU, PUNJABI, HINDI,
ARABIC, BENGALI & HINDKO
FREE CONSULTATION CALL:
[email protected]
Licensed in PA
PENNSYLVANIA
610-713-9000
6454 Market Street 2nd Flr
Upper Darby, PA 19082
NEW JERSEY
609-716-8900
50 Princeton Hightstown Rd. Ste 250
Princeton Junction, NJ 08550
[email protected]
Licensed in PA & NJ
Consultation Available For:
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Real Estate: Residential, Commercial, Foreclosure, Title, & Landlord-Tenant
Immigration: Family Petitions, Labor Certifications, Deportation issues & Citizenship
Criminal Law: Criminal Defense Misdemeanors, Felonies, Appeals & Traffic Violations
Business Law: Incorporations, LLC, Operating and Partnership Agreements & Closings
Civil Litigation: Trial work, Complex Litigation and Personal Injury
Intellectual Property: Trademark, Copyright & Brand Protection